favoritism
Americannoun
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the favoring of one person or group over others with equal claims; partiality.
to show favoritism toward the youngest child.
-
the state of being a favorite.
Etymology
Origin of favoritism
Explanation
A teacher who shows a clear preference for a particular student might be accused of favoritism, or favoring one person over others. The noun favoritism can simply describe the habit of preferring one particular person or group of people, but it often implies that it's done at the expense of other people. Your grandmother practices favoritism if she clearly likes one of her grandchildren best, and a politician is guilty of favoritism if she gives tax breaks to one group but not to others. The word favorite is at the root of favoritism, from the Latin root favere, "to show kindness to."
Vocabulary lists containing favoritism
Bunnicula
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The Killer Angels
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In June, victims' relatives filed more than 50 civil lawsuits against the Espaillats, while pressure mounted on the authorities amid allegations of favoritism for the owners, whose family also owns a media conglomerate.
From Barron's • Nov. 8, 2025
The program—intended to reduce favoritism and promote merit-based advancement—worked so well that the military made them mandatory with the creation of its Personnel Research Section.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025
This favoritism would have been difficult to imagine even a few years ago.
From Slate • Aug. 14, 2025
For the last several years, the Miss USA organization has struggled with an apparent mental health crisis and allegations of favoritism.
From Salon • May 9, 2024
There had to be a law against foster mothers who showed such gross favoritism.
From "The Great Gilly Hopkins" by Katherine Paterson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
